UK Horse Racing Tips: Newcastle

Mark Johnston has made an excellent start with his two-year-olds so Thunder Of Niagara is expected to know his job. THIRD KINGDOM hails from a good American family, though, with his dam a Grade 1-winning juvenile, and the John Gosden-trained son of Make Believe is expected to relish the Tapeta on his debut. Ventura Mutiny cost 130,000gns as a foal, although that reduced slightly by the time he went through the ring a year later. Captain Magnum and Rebel At Dawn are worth a look as well.
Prediction : 1st Third Kingdom 2nd Thunder Of Niagara 3rd Ventura Mutiny

FORTAMOUR may have only had the four rivals to beat over C&D back in January, but he did it well and the runner-up went one better subsequently to boost the form. Ben Haslam's charge is open to plenty more improvement and is preferred to Merchant Of Venice, who ran well in defeat during the winter on the all-weather. Tadleel and Mogsy are interesting for new yards, while the handicapper caught up with Suitcase 'n' Taxi after his Southwell four-timer, and he needs to prove his ability to handle an artificial surface other than Fibresand anyway.
Prediction : 1st Fortamour 2nd Merchant Of Venice 3rd Tadleel

DAARIK hasn't been sighted for well over a year but he has displayed plenty of talent, including when triumphant here as a juvenile and when runner-up to Fox Power in a Listed race, again at this track. He can reward connections' patience, although Red Bond and Aljari are already on the scoresheet in 2020 and can expose any fitness issues with John Gosden's gelding. King Of Tonga was a determined winner at Newmarket in November, but as with Kaeso and Vitralite, his ability to handle the all-weather must be taken on trust.
Prediction : 1st Daarik 2nd Red Bond 3rd King Of Tonga

There wouldn't be too many more popular horses in training than dual Melbourne Cup placegetter PRINCE OF ARRAN, who should be fit enough to do himself justice because he was sent to Dubai for the cancelled World Cup night. He was second to Withhold in the 2018 Northumberland Plate so clearly handles the track and is preferred to Ispolini, who developed into a high-class stayer at Meydan last year and was last seen winning the German St Leger. Royal Line seemed to stay this trip when third in the Long Distance Cup on Champions Day, when Withhold was back in fifth.
Prediction : 1st Prince Of Arran 2nd Ispolini 3rd Royal Line

PALACE PIER left a favourable impression when winning back-to-back races at Sandown and was regarded as a potential Pattern performer until injury curtailed his juvenile campaign. He was the subject of support in the ante-post 2000 Guineas market and although that money was ultimately misplaced, with him rocking up in this handicap off 98 instead of going down the Classic route, he should make light work of his mark before moving on to bigger and better things. Newbury novice winner Acquitted could win the battle for second, with Monoski also respected now eased in grade for a yard recently among the winners.
Prediction : 1st Palace Pier 2nd Acquitted 3rd Monoski

Archie Watson can ready a newcomer and his IDENTIFIED, who is a half-brother to a 5f winner, is expected to give a good account on debut and provide the Lambourn handler with another juvenile victory. Declan Carroll has enjoyed success with his two-year-old sprinters so any money for his budget recruit Stitcher would be worth heeding, as it would for Richard Fahey's Selected, who changed hands for 70,000gns as a yearling.
Prediction : 1st Identified 2nd Selected 3rd Stitcher

ARAIFJAN steadily improved between runs last year, including on his first start for Richard Fahey at Beverley in September, and appears to be the sort who could progress again now making his handicap debut off a workable mark. Lara Silvia signed off 2019 with back-to-back victories at Chepstow and Musselburgh, and is worth a market check now stepping up in grade on her return. Red Hot Streak commands respect too, given his handler appears to have his string quite well forward since the restart.
Prediction : 1st Araifjan 2nd Lara Silvia 3rd Red Hot Streak

LONGROOM justified market support when making a winning stable debut for Paul Midgley over C&D in March and with further improvement likely, he is fancied to defy a 4lb rise. Marietta Robusti got to within three-parts of a length of him that day, finishing second, and has to be respected, although the bigger threat might be Quanah, who is quickly bounced out after a close-up third here on Monday.
Prediction : 1st Longroom 2nd Quanah 3rd Marietta Robusti

COLONY QUEEN was in fine form towards the back end of 2019, winning two of her last three starts, and she did enough at Newbury latest to suggest that she can strike off this 3lb higher mark. Two Blondes was last sighted finishing second over hurdles at Fakenham in October and he warrants respect on his return to Flat duty. Royal Regent and Fiesole are others to keep an eye on.
Prediction : 1st Colony Queen 2nd Two Blondes 3rd Royal Regent

A chance is taken on AEGEUS, who brings winning course form to the table and is likely to be suited by stepping back up in trip. He finished fast over 1m here when last sighted and his only previous start over 1m2f resulted in a solid runner-up effort. Jackamundo drops into class 4 company for the first time since winning at Haydock last June and he merits consideration. Gabrials Boy and Awake My Soul are others to note.
Prediction : 1st Aegeus 2nd Jackamundo 3rd Gabrials Boy